Apparatus for illumination and projection of data



P 24, 1963 c. E. MEYERHOEFER 3,104,587

APPARATUS FOR ILLUMINATION AND PROJECTION OF DATA Filed Feb. 23, 1962 2Sheets-Sheet 1 I A; I

Q I L INVENTOR.

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Se t. 24, 1963 c. E. MEYERHOEFER 3,104,587

APPARATUS F OR ILLUMINATIQN AND PROJECTION OF DATA Filed Feb. 23, 1962 2Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4

INVENTOR (A/PL f. Marie/105m? BY 4 Jaw Maw United States Patent3,104,587 APPARATUS FOR ILLUMENATION AND PROJECTEON OF DATA Carl E.Meyerhoefer, Little Neck, N.Y., assignor to Trans-Lux Corporation, NewYork, N.Y-, a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 23, 1962, Ser. No.175,059 4 Claims. (Cl. 88-24) This invention relates to a novel methodof reproducing data as well as apparatus of functionally andstructurally improved type for practicing that method.

By means of the present teachings it is feasible to overcome thelimitations present in display apparatus so that a large amount ofindicia carried by a moving member will be visible to an observerwithout substantial enlargement of the overall dimensions of standardtype apparatus. Moreover, by this invention it will be entirelypracticable to provide for this result with minimum alterations ofapparatus now on the market. Accordingly, a complete replacement of suchapparatus with consequent high we penditures will not be necessary.

Further objects are those of providing a compact assembly capable ofbeing headily installed by a Serviceman with minimum interruption in theoperation of, or alterations in the structure of display apparatus asheretofore designed.

With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attachedsheets of drawing illustrating practical embodiments of the inventionand in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic view of the main part of the datareproducing apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the major components convenientlyembodied in the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a phantom view of the apparatus, showing the manner in whichthe light rays are directed; and

.FIG. 4 is similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, but illustrating a reflecting typeof assembly. 1

While the present teachings may be employed in the reproduction of dataappearing upon webs of various widths, and whether these webs are opaqueor transparent, the present invention is directed primarily to the useof an indicia carrying web or member in the form of a tape, preferablyembodying a substantially transparent body. Such characteristics arepresent in tapes on which quotations emanating from a stock marketticker appear.

The invention has been primarily illustrated and described in thispreferred connection. Such disclosure, however, is not to be taken in alimiting sense, in that the tape may embrace dimensions to present anindicia carrying member in the nature of a relatively broad Web. Alsothat member may be imprinted and moved by mechanisms different thanthose herein described. Also, its indicia may be displayed in adifferent manner.

Thus, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the numeral 5 indicates an automaticimprinting mechanism of the stock market ticker type and 6, the tapedischarged therefrom. Numeral 7 designates a base of any desiredconfiguration disposed adjacent the imprinting mechanism and over whichthe tape passes. To eflect this movement, a pair of motor-driven rollers8 are ordinarily provided on that side of the cabinet or structure whichis opposite the imprinting mechanism 5. These rollers grip between themand feed the tape which is thus drawn across the cabinet or structure 7.To control the movements of the tape a pivotally mounted arm '9, may besupported to have its free end bearing in contact with the tape. Itsopposite end is connected to a control such as a switch or resistancewhich governs the speed of the motor-driven rollers 8. This correspondsto more or less conventional structure ice (as heretofore employed.Obviously in lieu of a fixed drive, and as also heretofore employed, afriction clutch might be provided between the motor and drive a roll ofthe pair indicated at '8.

Within the space or structure indicated at 7 a lamp housing casing, 10is conveniently disposed. 1A lamp 11 is operatively mounted within thecasing and positioned adjacent a reflector 12 embracing a sphericalradius to direct the light rays in desired directions. Those light rayswill follow in certain manners as hereinafter described, definite pathsand will escape through an aperture 13 formed in casing '10 to passthrough an objective lens assembly 14 above that casing. Thence theywill be projected against the surface of a reflecting mirror, 15,conveniently in a housing indicated at 16, disposed adjacent the upperend of the apparatus or assembly and connected to structure 7. The raysare reflected by mirror 15 and the surface of a mirror 17 alsoconveniently within housing 16, and then to the rear face of atranslucent screen, 18, which is again preferably supported by housing16. Screen 18 will face in the direction of an audience Wishing toobserve the indicia symbols appearing upon the tape or member, as thelatter is drawn across aperture 13.

According to the present teachings an optical system different from thatheretofore employed in apparatus of the present type will be utilized.That system is illustrated to the best advantage in FIG. 3. It includesin addition to the reflector 12, a condenser lens 19 of plano convextype, disposed a proper distance from the source of illumination 11,.and in a direction opposite the reflector 12. As a consequence, therays of light emanating from source 11 move along substantially parallelpaths after passing through lens 19. They strike against a cylindricalconvex mirror 29, inclined with respect to these rays and of a lengthrelated to the characteristics of lens '19. Accordingly, the beams arereflected to a cylindrical concave mirror 21, properly related to mirror20 so as to receive the diverging beams or rays reflected by the latter.

The rays reflected by mirror 21 will provide a converging beam due tothe concavity of the latter, and will impinge upon a reflecting mirror22, which similar to mirrors 15 and 17, will be substantially flat.Mirror 22 will be preferably disposed within the cabinet or housingstructure 7, which at this point is furnished with aperture 13. Thelatter is defined by a framing member 23, which may form a part of aguide structure for confining the movements of tape 6 across the deck ofthe base 7. At

least mirrors 20 and '21 as well as reflector 1-2 should be of the frontsurface type. As before brought out rays reflected by mirror 21 convergeupon mirror 22.

Since mirrors 20 and21 are cylindn'cally convex and concaverespectively, the light beams are diverging and/ or converging in onedirection only. .At an angle of to this direction, the beams remainsubstantially parallel. Reflected by mirror 22 they will pass throughthe aperture of framing or track-member 23, as well as any indiciadisplayed within this aperture and continue to converge in an upwarddirection. Objective lens =14 which will involve :a double convexassembly having wide angle characteristics, is disposed at properdistance from the preceding components of the optical system so that therays at the point of this assembly will present a minimum field.

It is found, as a consequence, that a greater length of indicia-carryingmember or tape will be embraced within the aperture of member 23, or itsequivalent, and accordingly, a greater number of indicia characters maybe displayed upon the screen 1 8. This display will be. free ofaberations or other distortions. Also, the illumination throughout theentire length of the aperture will be sulficiently constant so that nodifiiculty will be experienced Patented Sept. 24, 1963 in reading theindicia even it the latter quickly traverses screen 18. In fact, to thecasual eye, substantially uniform contrast exists throughout the entirefield, such that no fall-out in definition appears adjacent the frontand rear ends of screen 18, in comparison with the central area thereof.

Referring to FIG. 4 a layout has been illustrated in which light isreflected from the surfiace of an indiciacarrying member, which may beopaque. This is in distinction of tape 6 which is transparent. The samereference numerals are used as heretofore employed to designate similarparts. However, a guide 24 not apertured to provide for the passage oflight says is employed to support an indicia carrying strip, 25. Thatstrip may be opaque and guide 24 is substituted for mirror 22. Lightrays are reflected from the surface of web 25 directly to lens assembly14.

Also, in this View only a single reflecting mirror is provided adjacentscreen 18. Such an arrangement could be employed to dispense with one ofthe mirrors, 15'17 if a sufficiently long throw is available. Theapparatus of FIG. 4 will function in a manner similar to that of FIGS. 1and 3 as aforedescribed, except for the fact that light rays aredirected against the surface of web 25 and reflected to the lensassembly 14.

In the system as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and with spacings such ashereinafter indicated being employed, the cylindrical convex mirror 20may involve a 6%" radius with a /2" chord. The cylindrical concavemirror 21 will prefenably embrace under these circumstances, a 7 radiusand ran 11" chord. Reflector 12 will involve a 2%" spherical radiusspacing from light source 11. Condenser lens 19 will be of theplano-convex type and have a 4 /2" focal length with, for example, a 5/2" diameter. It will be correspondingly spaced from the light source.Approximately 2 of space will intervene this lens and mirror 20. Mirror'21 will be spaced 4% from mirror 20, and 3% from mirror 22. The lattermay be disposed approximately 4 below the web or tape '6. With theobjective lens assembly 14 having a 6 focal length, involving a 2 /2"diameter and a 1:11 ratio embracing wide angle characteristics, it willbe spaced 2. corresponding distance from the tape or element 6. A throw,involving total distance to the screen 18 and reflection between mirrors15 and 17 of 68 wil be involved. The screen may involve operativedimensions embracing a width or height of 8" and be 90 long. Theforegoing presents one operative arrangement and characteristics of theelements embodied in the assembly. Obviously, the

foregoing measurements will be qualified according to varyingconditions. They may also be somewhat dependent upon the contour andstructures of the lens elements involving condenser and objectivelenses.

It a large enough condenser were employed, the convex mirror 2% might incertain instances be dispensed with. Normally, however, this wouldinvolve a relatively expensive condenser lens. Considering the workingsof the apparatus in the light of present day practice, it has customarywith a conventional imprinting mechanism 5 operating at a maximum speedof 600 characters per minute, to feed the tape or web across theaperture or support which would involve a 5 /2" field. However, with thenew high-speed imprinter, characters at the rate of 900 per minute areimpressed on the tape or web. With the latter moving at acorrespondingly high speed, itis found that the eye of the ordinaryobserver is unable to 4 concentrate on the indicia symbols as theyappears upon the screen for more than a brief instance.

Following the present teachings, it is feasible to display 8 /2 of tapewithin the projection field and to correspondingly increase theilluminated area of the screen. this additional length, the averageperson has no difficulty in following the symbols as'they pass along thescreen and in properly identifying the information which is beingtransmitted.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specificallyaforementioned areachieved. Obviously numerous changes in constructionand arrangements of the parts may be resorted to and the steps of themethod or optical system may be varied without de- 1 to said supportstructure, an optical system correlatedto said source and supportstructure, said system comprising spaced relatively elongatedcylindrical convex and concave mirrors, a condenser lens interposedbetween said source and said convex mirror. to project substantiallyparallel light beams against the latter and cause those beams to bereflected therefrom in diverging directions to said concave mirror tothereupon follow converging paths directed to the indicia carried bysaid member to thereby evenly illuminate an elongated section of theindicia carrying member supported by the support structure, saidillumination source, condenser lens and convex and concave mirrors beingoptically disposed on one side of said support surface, an objectivelens disposed optically on the other side of said support surface beyondsaid member so as to face towards said elongated illuminated section,said lens being positioned to receive light from the indicia. carryingmember positioned at said support surface :and transmit an image to animage receiving and viewing means, and means for cooperating to viewvthe transmitted image of substantially uniform contrast. 2. In anapparatus as defined in claim :1, and a further mirror interposedbetween said concave mirror and memher to reflect light rays from theformer to the latter.

3. In an apparatus as defined in claim 1, a reflector disposed adjacentsaid light source at a point opposite said condenser and said reflectorembracing a spherical radius.

4. In an apparatus as defined in claim l, a screen mounted beyond saidobjective lens and a further mirror disposed in the path of the lightrays emanating from said objective lens and reflecting such rays towardssaid screen.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Yorkeet 211. July 21, 1936 2,248,052 Au-chincloss et 'al. July 8, 19412,292,979 Wald Aug. 11, 1942 2,614,460 Miller Oct. 21, 1952 With

1. DATA REPRODUCING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF PROJECTING FOR VIEWING ARELATIVELY LONG SECTION OF AN INDICIA CARRYING MEMBER AND RELATIVELYLARGE NUMBER OF INDICIA CHARACTERS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION ANELONGATED SUPPORT STRUCTURE PROVIDING A SURFACE FOR THE SUPPORT OF THEINDICIA CARRYING MEMBER, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID MEMBER OVER SAID SUPPORTSTRUCTURE, A SOURCE OF ILLUMINATION ADJACENT TO SAID SUPPORT STRUCTURE,AN OPTICAL SYSTEM CORRELATED TO SAID SOURCE AND SUPPORT STRUCTURE, SAIDSYSTEM COMPRISING SPACED RELATIVELY ELONGATED CYLINDRICAL CONVEX ANDCONCAVE MIRRORS, A CONDENSER LENS INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID SOURCE ANDSAID CONVEX MIRROR TO PROJECT SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL LIGHT BEAMS AGAINSTTHE LATTER AND CAUSE THOSE BEAMS TO BE REFLECTED THEREFROM IN DIVERGINGDIRECTIONS TO SAID CONCAVE MIRROR TO THEREUPON FOLLOW CONVERGING PATHSDIRECTED TO THE INDICIA CARRIED BY SAID MEMBER TO THEREBY EVENLYILLUMINATE AN ELONGATED SECTION OF THE INDICIA CARRYING MEMBER SUPPORTEDBY THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE, SAID ILLUMINATION SOURCE, CONDENSER LENS ANDCONVEX AND CONCAVE MIRRORS BEING OPTICALLY DISPOSED ON ONE SIDE OF SAIDSUPPORT SURFACE, AN OBJECTIVE LENS DISPOSED OPTICALLY ON THE OTHER SIDEOF SAID SUPPORT SURFACE BEYOND SAID MEMBER SO AS TO FACE TOWARDS SAIDELONGATED ILLUMINATED SECTION, SAID LENS BEING POSITIONED TO RECEIVELIGHT FROM THE INDICIA CARRYING MEMBER POSITIONED AT SAID SUPPORTSURFACE AND TRANSMIT AN IMAGE TO AN IMAGE RECEIVING AND VIEWING MEANS,AND MEANS FOR COOPERATING TO VIEW THE TRANSMITTED IMAGE OF SUBSTANTIALLYUNIFORM CONTRAST.